Romelu Lukaku's shot was well struck and from close range, but Hart got a good hand to it only for the ball to bounce into the net anyway.

Since arriving from Shrewsbury in 2006 Hart has made the number one jersey his own, but with a continued decline in form back-up Costel Pantilimon could receive a call up from boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Zabaleta said: “He's been here for a long time and the fans are behind him, everybody's behind him. I felt very good when I saw the crowd giving massive support to him. We need to be all together in this time."

City boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted he thought hard about picking Romanian Pantilimon ahead of Hart before deciding to stick with the England keeper.

“Costel is another great goalkeeper and he is putting pressure on him, and that is great,” said Zabaleta.

“I think for everyone, we know we've got two good players in every position and we need to feel the competition. That is normal.”

Image courtesy of CityTV via YouTube, with thanks.

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